In terms of energy use and carbon footprint,it is the primary processes of ironmaking and steelmaking that command most attention in our industry.The rolling mills,although energy-intensive by comparison with most ind...In terms of energy use and carbon footprint,it is the primary processes of ironmaking and steelmaking that command most attention in our industry.The rolling mills,although energy-intensive by comparison with most industrial finishing operations,are often overlooked when a steel company considers its environmental responsibilities and its energy-saving opportunities. The high gearing of energy consumption of the primary processes over the finishing processes has an important consequence,however.The key to green rolling is as much about yield(and avoiding the remelting of scrap) as it is about direct energy use. This paper uses a project case study,the design and commissioning of the Endless Strip Processing(ESP) plant of Arvedi in Italy to illustrate how modern rolling mills are contributing to a greener steel industry.The relevant technical features include the energy savings implicit in near-net shape casting and in direct rolling,without intermediate reheating,advances in drive and power conversion technologies and the aforementioned concept of energy saving through yield maximisation. Some notable co-operative efforts towards greener rolling are also explained,including university collaborations and in particular the WellMet2050 project at the University of Cambridge.In conclusion,the green credentials of steel usage in general industry are considered and key messages for the engineering community are sought.展开更多
文摘In terms of energy use and carbon footprint,it is the primary processes of ironmaking and steelmaking that command most attention in our industry.The rolling mills,although energy-intensive by comparison with most industrial finishing operations,are often overlooked when a steel company considers its environmental responsibilities and its energy-saving opportunities. The high gearing of energy consumption of the primary processes over the finishing processes has an important consequence,however.The key to green rolling is as much about yield(and avoiding the remelting of scrap) as it is about direct energy use. This paper uses a project case study,the design and commissioning of the Endless Strip Processing(ESP) plant of Arvedi in Italy to illustrate how modern rolling mills are contributing to a greener steel industry.The relevant technical features include the energy savings implicit in near-net shape casting and in direct rolling,without intermediate reheating,advances in drive and power conversion technologies and the aforementioned concept of energy saving through yield maximisation. Some notable co-operative efforts towards greener rolling are also explained,including university collaborations and in particular the WellMet2050 project at the University of Cambridge.In conclusion,the green credentials of steel usage in general industry are considered and key messages for the engineering community are sought.